Today the air feels pregnant with spring. Oh, I admit it doesn’t look real
spring-like with eight inches of snow on the ground. But the air—ah, just take
a breath! In the sunshine it’s warm, fresh, expectant. Yes, today’s the day.
Get out the brace and bit, the hammer, the old milk jugs and the spouts. Put
on your boots and coat. It’s maple-sugaring time. Life is surging up the trees.
Of course, it still looks like winter. The trees are still naked; the ground
is still covered with snow. But here’s a maple tree. You drill the first hole.
Press hard and turn. Slowly the wood shavings fall to the ground. Ah, they’re
damp. Remove the bit. Clean the hole. Look! A drop—two, three. The sap is running!
—MBL